It Started with a Dare

7

The next morning I woke up face to face with Xavier. He let a snore, and I made a face. He had morning breath. His pale, blue eyes were closed, and his black hair fell onto his forehead.

"Looks like you two had a good night," Marcus' voice made me jump. I turned and found him staring down at us.

"I could say the same for you," I replied as Emilee sat up, her hair everywhere.

Her eyes went wide as she ran a hand through her hair. "I swear we didn't do anything!" she exclaimed.

I laughed, "I know. Chill."

"Looks like he enjoys sleeping with you," Marcus said, winking.

I made a face. "When you put it that way, it sounds wrong."

"It was suppose to, Braelyn," he replied.

"Marcus, you know that you're my Prince Charming," Xavier's voice made me jump.

"And you're my Cinderella," Marcus said.

"I was shooting for Snow White but whatever," Xavier said, sitting up.

I rolled my eyes. "You two are so weird," I said.

Emilee nodded in agreement. "Yep," she said.

"I'm going to get some cereal. Wanna join anyone?" I asked, standing up. All four of us made our way downstairs, where Nathan and Nick were clearly hung over. "What did you two do last night?" I asked, grabbing my Fruity Pebbles.

"Went to a party," Nathan grumbled. "My head is throbbing."

"Mine, too," Nick said.

I smiled devilishly. "Well, maybe there's some Advil in the cabinet!" I yelled.

They covered their ears. "Jesus, Braelyn!" they yelled.

I was about to yell again, but Xavier covered my mouth. I licked his hand, but he didn't budge. "Licking my hand will not help you. Don't be cruel, Brae," he said beside my ear.

"Yeah, Brae, don't be so cruel," Nathan said. "Listen to your boyfriend."

Xavier uncovered my mouth. "He's not my boyfriend," I replied.

"I'm a single pringle, my friend," Xavier said, making himself a bowl of cereal. Marcus and Emilee were already eating.

"Yeah, yeah," Nick said, grabbing his bowl and placing it in the sink. "Well, I'm going back to bed. Don't bother me."

"Same," Nathan said, and the twins retreated to their rooms.

"So, what's the plan today?" Marcus asked.

"I'm just going to chill today," I said, taking a bite of my cereal.

Xavier coughed, "Boring."

I raised an eyebrow. "Do you have any plans?" I asked.

"Yes, matter a fact, I was going to go to the mall," he replied.

Marcus rolled his eyes. "You have fun with that."

Emilee smiled. "The mall sounds pretty good actually," she said.

I finished off my cereal and placed it in the sink. "In that case, let me go get dressed. We have about six new toothbrushes under the sink, so brush your teeth."

"Yes, Mom," Marcus saluted.

"Brae, can I borrow some clothes?" she asked.

I nodded. "Sure. I don't know why you ask. You know what I'm going to say, Em." I made my way to my room and grab some clean clothes. I took off my pajamas, and that's when the door opened.

I gasped and turned my head toward the door. Xavier stood, frozen. "I'm sorry," he said, looking at my body. I was only in a bra and panties. He left the room, and I continued getting dressed, embarrassed.

I walked into the bathroom and brushed my teeth then did my hair. I walked back into my room, and found Emilee getting dressed. She gasped then relaxed when she saw it was me. "Good. Now, I'm not the only one who got walked in on," I said.

"Who walked in on you?" she asked.

"Xavier," I said, grabbing my phone off of my bookshelf. I had a missed call from an in unknown number. I called it back.

"Hello, sunshine," he said in a British accent.

"Ridge, how did you get my number?" I laughed, looking at Emilee.

"Your friend, Emilee."

Emilee smiled, and I nodded. "Figures. So, what's up?" I asked, flopping onto my bed.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"About to go to the mall," I said.

Ridge laughed, "Well, I was wondering if we could hang out."

I smiled. "You could meet me at the mall," I told him.

"Okay, see you in a few," Ridge said, hanging up.

I looked at Emilee. "He's coming to the mall."

She wiggled her eyebrows. "Does he miss our Braelyn already?" she asked.

I threw a pillow at her. "Shut up!"

"Come on, the guys are waiting," Emilee said.
××××××
We made our way into the mall, and someone covered my eyes. "Guess who?" a familiar voice said.

"Ridge, I will hit you," I said.

He laughed and uncovered my eyes then made his way beside me. "So, how's it going?" he asked.

"Good," I said.

"Hello, guys," Ridge greeted.

"Hi," Emilee and Marcus said, but Xavier just waved. I raised my eyebrows at him, but he didn't even look my way.

"Where to first?" Ridge asked.

"There's this new party store," Emilee said. "I wanted to check that out."

So, we made our way to the store. Ridge immediately went to the weird masks. "How do I look?" he asked.

I looked at him and laughed. It was a big, crying baby mask. Ridge striked a pose, and I couldn't help it. I took a picture.

Emilee rolled her eyes. "You two are so cute."

"We're not dating," I said.

Ridge threw an arm around my shoulders. "Not yet at least," he said.

Xavier huffed and made his way to the back of the store. I looked at Marcus. "What's his problem?" I asked.

Marcus shrugged. "Beats me."

Ridge dropped his arm and went over to the hats. He picked one out, a big, blue hat with mustaches and glasses all over it. He held it up. "What do you think, Brae?" he asked.

I smiled and placed it on my head. "How do I look?" I asked.

He smiled. "Beautiful."

I blushed. "Why thank you," I said.

"I'll get it for you," He said.

"Ridge, I have my own money," I said.

"Well, too bad. I'm buying it for you."

I rolled my eyes and handed it to him. "Thanks, Ridge."

He winked. "No problem, sunshine."

So, what did you think? Are you on Team Xae or Team Rae?